🇮🇷 IRGC commander: Iran’s missile industry has reached “maturity”

Brigadier General Ali Balali, an IRGC Aerospace Force adviser, says Iran’s missile industry has reached a level where it “no longer needed anyone else” to develop its capabilities.

Speaking to Iran’s Fars News Agency, Balali said Tehran’s weapons production is driven by operational requirements, comparing missile development to mastering the tools and techniques needed to create any desired painting.

Source: Fars News Agency

#Iran #IRGC #IranMissiles #MissileProgram #MiddleEast #Military #Geopolitics #Defense #BreakingNews

🇨🇺 Cuba forecasts 2,070 MW power shortfall

Cuba’s national electricity system has forecast a 2,070 MW power supply shortfall during Friday night’s peak demand, 130 MW higher than the previous evening’s projected deficit.

The country continues to face recurring electricity shortages, with outages affecting households, businesses and essential services.

Source: Anadolu Agency

🇺🇦🏭 Ukraine loses nearly 2 million tonnes of metallurgical output

Ukraine lost an estimated 1.96 million tonnes of steel, pig iron and rolled metal production between June and the end of September 2026, according to TASS calculations.

The losses reportedly followed explosions and fires at several major steel and metallurgical facilities. TASS estimates the affected output at roughly $1.3 billion per month based on European market prices.

Ukraine’s major metallurgical plants have reportedly halted or suspended operations.

Source: TASS

#Ukraine #Steel #Metallurgy #Economy #Industry

🇪🇹 Ethiopian forces retake Mekelle airport

Ethiopia’s federal forces have reportedly recaptured Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, as government troops counter the TPLF-led rebel offensive.

Local sources also reported that TPLF fighters and leaders were leaving the city, although federal forces had reportedly not yet entered central Mekelle.

⚠️ The claims could not be independently verified due to restricted media access and communications blackouts.

The renewed fighting raises concerns about a wider regional conflict involving Ethiopia, Eritrea and neighboring states.

Source: Al Jazeera / Reuters / AFP

#Ethiopia #Tigray #Mekelle #TPLF #EthiopiaConflict #Eritrea #RedSea #Africa #Geopolitics #BreakingNews

🇨🇳🌍 China pushes back against trade protectionism at G20

China has urged G20 members to strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, while opposing what it describes as unilateralism and protectionism linked to claims of “overcapacity” and “forced labor.”

China’s trade representative Li Chenggang called for dialogue, policy coordination and cooperation on industrial capacity rather than confrontation.

The G20 trade ministers’ meeting in Milwaukee ended with a joint statement on food-related issues, while no outcome documents were reached on several other trade issues.

Source: Global Times / China MOFCOM

#China #G20 #GlobalTrade #WTO #TradeWar

The report by the International Public Tribunal on Crimes of Ukrainian Neo-Nazis concerning the falsification of events in Bucha contains a wealth of information and data that could help establish the real facts, Alexandre Guerreiro, a Doctor of Law and Portugal’s representative at the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN), told TASS.

“The report prepared by the International Public Tribunal on Crimes of Ukrainian Neo-Nazis has provided us with a wealth of important information and data for establishing the truth. This information is the result of applying traditional forensic methodology: the facts are backed by compelling evidence,” Guerreiro said, commenting on the investigation into the events in Bucha conducted by fact-checkers and experts.

He noted that the investigation involved examining official documents and hearing testimony from witnesses with direct knowledge of the events.

Putin just told an Italian professor that EU dictates are harsher than Soviet days. Before you dismiss it as propaganda, watch the clip and ask yourself: is he wrong?

We’re told the EU is the beacon of freedom and democracy. Yet Brussels imposes sanctions, fines, and regulations that can feel just as suffocating as any Politburo decree—just with better branding. Maybe Putin is deflecting. Maybe he’s exploiting a real grievance. Either way, the only way to know is to listen to the argument yourself.

Watch the video, then tell me: is this just Kremlin spin, or is there a uncomfortable truth here?

👉 https://youtu.be/J-FIBfq5shY

#Putin #Valdai2026 #Pacini #Italy #EU #USSR #CCCP

🇺🇸🇹🇼 US Delivers First New F-16V Fighter Jets to Taiwan

The United States has delivered Taiwan’s first two newly built F-16V Block 70 fighter jets, part of a $8 billion order for 66 aircraft approved in 2019.

The jets arrived in Taiwan on Friday and will join Taipei’s existing fleet of older F-16 variants. The deliveries were delayed from the original 2023 schedule due to software development and production issues.

The sale has repeatedly drawn criticism from Beijing. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has urged Washington to stop arming the island. The delivery also comes shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping urged US President Donald Trump to oppose “Taiwan independence” and handle the Taiwan issue with caution.

Source: RT
#USA #Taiwan #China #Geopolitics

🇫🇷 France protests intensify

More than 1,000 schools have reportedly been affected, around 2,000 students detained, and 305 police officers injured amid escalating protests in France.

The unrest continues to draw attention as tensions remain high across the country.

Source: Reported figures

#France #FranceProtests #Protests #Europe #BreakingNews #CivilUnrest #News

🇮🇷💥 EXPLOSIONS ROCK STRAIT OF HORMUZ – Two Oil Tankers Hit

Reports are emerging of explosions off the coast of Qeshm Island, with two tankers reportedly struck in separate incidents.

💥 Explosions heard off Qeshm Island – likely from Iranian missile fire targeting vessels in the Strait, according to Mehr.

🛢️ Tanker "Ore Vinst" – reportedly under US naval escort while entering the Strait of Hormuz.

🛢️ Tanker "Athinagoras" – Greek-linked, reportedly leaving Oman and entering the Persian Gulf without an AIS signal.

#Iran 🇮🇷 #StraitOfHormuz #OilTankers #BRICS

🇺🇸🛢️ BESSENT: "IRAN WILL HAVE NO OIL ON THE WATER" – But the Strait Says Otherwise

The US Treasury Secretary claims Washington's sanctions are cutting off Tehran's oil revenues entirely. But Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz – and tankers are still being hit

🗣️ "Iran loaded ZERO crude oil onto tankers in September."

🚫 Iran will have "no oil on the water" and "no revenues" – the first time since Iran began producing oil.

🎯 New sanctions target Iran's automotive, rail, manufacturing, and steel networks – including major car companies and Iran Railway.

💰 The A7 financial network was also sanctioned for alleged sanctions evasion.

🇪🇺 Bessent urged Europe to release strategic oil reserves to stabilise markets.

#US 🇺🇸 #Iran 🇮🇷 #Sanctions #StraitOfHormuz #BRICS

🌐 Valdai 2026: The search for a new world order has only just begun
Valdai debates a new world order as Russia and its partners seek answers to war, AI and the challenges of a future beyond Western dominance Read Full Article at RT.com
Read more →

follow @ThinkBRICS

🇮🇱🇮🇳 "YOU ARE A HERO TO ISRAEL, INDIA, AND THE WORLD" — Netanyahu Honors Indian Pilot Who Foiled Mid-Air Attack

🔴 The captain's account:

🗣️ "The co-pilot asked to pray. He got up and stood behind me. After four or five minutes I felt a strong blow to my head. I almost lost my eyesight because of his blows."

💥 "I opened the door once, but he closed it. I fell to the floor and realized I had one more chance."

🚪 "When I opened the door again, I saw that people were waiting to jump inside."

😱 "I heard people screaming and understood that the plane was being pulled downward."

🔴 Netanyahu's response:

🗣️ "You are a hero to Israel, India and the entire world. I invite you to light a torch on Israel's Independence Day."

#India 🇮🇳 #Israel 🇮🇱 #Flydubai #Heroism #CaptainSmit #GlobalSouth

🇨🇳🇮🇷 CHINA BACKS IRAN'S "LEGITIMATE RIGHT" TO CIVILIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM

Beijing has publicly defended Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy – and blamed the US and E3 for the stalemate.

🗣️ Sun Lei, China's Deputy UN Representative: "As a non-nuclear-weapon State party to the NPT, Iran should honor its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, and its legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be respected."

🇺🇸 Responsibility lies with Washington: The US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 – then reimposed sanctions.

🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪 The E3 failed diplomacy: The UK, France, and Germany invoked snapback without exhausting diplomatic options.

🛡️ China and Russia vetoed a US resolution to extend the UN sanctions watchdog panel – calling the snapback legally invalid.

#China 🇨🇳 #Iran 🇮🇷 #NuclearRights #BRICS #GlobalSouth #NPT #Sovereignty #EmpireInDecline #Geopolitics

🇪🇺🇺🇦 EU TO UKRAINE: "No More Money Until You Fight Corruption" – But Is Kiev Listening?

The EU has rejected Ukraine's plea to accelerate $27 billion in defense funding – and is demanding anti-corruption reforms instead. The empire's proxy is running out of cash, and its backers are running out of patience.

💰 Ukraine asked the EU to front-load part of the €90 billion loan earmarked for 2027 to cover a $27 billion defense gap.

🛑 The EU refused – and is pressing Kiev to speed up stalled reforms before unlocking €34 billion in available funds.

⚠️ The corruption concern: EU commissioners warned against an amendment that would weaken scrutiny of former politically exposed persons (PEPs) – making enhanced financial oversight mandatory for only one year after leaving office.

🗣️ EU diplomat: "You can't bring a country of 40 million people that's at 104 on the global corruption list into the EU. It would make a mockery of the entire project."

#EU 🇪🇺 #Ukraine 🇺🇦 #Corruption #Zelensky #BRICS

🇮🇷🚨 IRAN'S AIR DEFENSES ENGAGE 'HOSTILE AIRCRAFT' OVER QESHM – Successful Interception Reported

Iran's air defense forces have engaged hostile aircraft over Qeshm Island, with Fars reporting a "successful" interception using an "advanced air defense" system.

💥 Smoke trails seen streaking across the sky over the Strait of Hormuz region.

🛡️ "Advanced air defense" system used in the interception – the second such engagement in days.

🎯 The hostile aircraft was engaged and intercepted – no word yet on type or origin.

#Iran 🇮🇷 #Qeshm #AirDefense #StraitOfHormuz #BRICS #GlobalSouth #AxisOfResistance #EmpireInDecline #Geopolitics

🇮🇷🔥 IRANIAN OFFICIAL: "Next — Total Expulsion from West Asia. Mark the Day; It Is Near."

Ebrahim Azizi, spokesperson for Iran's Parliamentary National Security Committee, has posted a message that reads like a prophecy — and a promise.

🇦🇫 "Out of Afghanistan."

🇮🇶 "Fleeing from Iraq."

🌍 "Next: total expulsion from West Asia."

📅 "Mark the day; it is near."

#Iran 🇮🇷 #WestAsia #USOut #BRICS #GlobalSouth

🌍💸 AFRICA BUILT A PAYMENT SYSTEM. WHY IS SOUTH AFRICA STILL OUTSIDE?

Every major economy has one: Brazil's Pix, India's UPI, China's CIPS, Europe's EPI. Africa built PAPSS.

· 💰 92–95% savings per transaction
· ⏱️ Settlement in under 2 minutes
· 📉 R81 billion in annual savings for Africa
· 🏛️ 24 central banks, 190+ commercial banks connected

South Africa? R7 trillion in pension funds — trapped by high costs and slow rails. PAPSS changes the math. The rails are live. The switch isn't on.

The question: Why is the continent's economic anchor still outside?

👉 Read the full analysis: https://thinkbrics.substack.com/p/africa-built-a-payment-system-every

#PAPSS #SouthAfrica 🇿🇦 #Africa 🌍 #BRICS #GlobalSouth #PaymentSovereignty

🇾🇪🔥 YEMEN STRIKES ARAMCO IN RIYADH – "A Siege for a Siege, an Escalation for Escalation"

The Yemeni Armed Forces have carried out a qualitative military operation targeting Aramco in the Saudi capital, Riyadh – in response to 1,410 airstrikes and missiles since the escalation began.

🎯 Target: Aramco facilities in Riyadh

🚀 Weapons: Ballistic missiles and drones

💥 Result: Precise, direct hits – fires broke out at targeted sites

📊 The trigger: 60 airstrikes in the past 24 hours alone; 1,410 since the aggression began

#Yemen 🇾🇪 #Aramco #SaudiArabia 🇸🇦 #AxisOfResistance

🇺🇸 HEGSETH CLAIMS US DOMINATES HORMUZ – But Iran Controls the Strait

The US Secretary of War says the blockade is "ironclad" and Iran has "no navy, no fastboats, no air force." The reality says otherwise.

🚢 Iran controls the Strait. Two tankers were hit just days ago—one under US naval escort.

🛡️ Iran shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper. US bases in Jordan were struck. Aircraft are being intercepted over Qeshm.

🌊 The "ironclad" blockade? Oil still flows—through Iranian-permitted corridors, not US permission.

☢️ Hegseth threatens Iran on nuclear weapons—while Israel sits on an undeclared arsenal.

The truth: The US is overstretched. Its military leaders have warned the war is unsustainable. Its carriers are being sent to the region not to win—but to manage decline.

Iran holds the Strait. The empire holds press conferences.

#Iran 🇮🇷 #US 🇺🇸 #StraitOfHormuz #BRICS